I'm about to be living on my own for the first time. What is the best advice for me not to screw up too bad?

Question

I'll be joining the Navy and be on my own for the first time. I'm not sure what to expect on my except for bills and taxes. The Navy will house me, at least. what should I watch out for?

Answer 1

Yep the Navy may house you, but trust me, the furnishings and such are not to die for. If you live on base, then you pretty much have what they provide. But if you go into a place of your own, you'll want your own stuff eventually. When you are ready to buy your own stuff, watch the local sales in dept stores for nice furniture and collect enough for your place over time. Also you could look in classified ads in the newspaper for things that are being sold that are still in good condition. If you buy appliances, it's a good idea to save up a bit and buy the better brands right from the start instead of buying something like that cheaply. I always recommended to my sons to try and get a sofa bed when they got a couch, cuz it will give you an extra place to sleep when you have friends/family over. Also suggest instead of buying a chair or love seat, to just get another long couch. If you can only get them one at a time, that's cool, they don't have to match either. One of my sons had enough $ to buy either his bed or his couch first. He got the sofa bed first, used it for his reg. bed, until he had the $ to get his bed. And try not to go for less expensive on buying your first mattresses. The better the quality, the longer it will last. Not to mention how much better it will be for your back. Ok, the rest of what you buy furniture-wise you don't need to be so picky on, regarding prices. Hit up thrift stores, garage sales, ads in the paper etc. for anything else you might want.

In your kitchen, buy quality pots and pans, best not to try and save $ on those. Cuz they will last longer, etc. Dishes, silverware, glasses.. All that can be bought at thrift stores, on sale, etc. Towels are another thing to try and get good quality vs. saving $. Please try not to fall for those get 30+ towels, washrags set for a really low price. What you'll get will be really thin towels that won't last long. Maybe a few cheap towels to get you going, but then try and buy a good towel every month or so, building up a nice quality collection over time. :)

Many folks may not agree with me on this next suggestion, yet it's the best thing I can suggest for you. And that is, if you have credit cards, keep one for emergencies and cut the rest up. Try not to use credit at all, if you can possibly get away with that. Cuz using credit cards can get totally out of hand in a big fast hurry, and finding yourself in debt up to your earlobes won't be any fun at all! Two of my sons followed that advice, and one didn't. The one who didn't is still digging himself out from under. Just saying.. If you simply *must* use credit, use it sparingly to the point where you can pay it off each month. At the very least, pay off more than the minimum amount required each month. Cuz if you pay only the minimum payment, it really doesn't apply to your balance due, it's just paying the interest, if that.

Ok.. lemme think.. tap tap tap.. Oh yeah! lol.. try to save out of every paycheck at least 10% in an emergency fund, and 10% in savings. Then don't touch a penny of either one unless it's a DIRE emergency. <-- A dire emergency is *not* when you've downed the last six-pack, ok? rotfll.. A dire emergency is when your mom, for example, needs you home at once, and you'll have the $$ to get there for sure. :D That money can build up over time and you'll surprise yourself how much you'll have soon.

Buy store brands, they usually are the same quality, just with the store's name on them. Course, being in the Navy, you'll be able to shop at the PX, or whatever the store on base is called these days.

And at least once a week, call your mom. heh ;) Go gently with her, cuz trust me, been there, she's probably going to have a hard time in 'letting you go' out into the mean cruel world.. lol. Probably more scary for her than it may be for you. Letting you go may be hard for her to learn! But you need it and so does she. ;) Also, she will still 'need to be needed', just as much as you need to test your own wings, so to speak. So every now and then think of something that only she can help you with. It will make her feel good, and it will make you feel good to be 'mothered' just a little. Then you can go right back to being your macho hey look at me I'm on my own self again.

Oh yeah, stay away from the clubs on base and those in town. Stay away from the 'wicked city women', lolol who often do swarm these places, especially on and near payday, ok? They will NOT be the ones you'll want to bring home to mom to meet!!!!! ;) When you do go offbase and into town, only carry just a bit of money that you'll need. Leave the rest home. There really ARE money-hungry robbing fools out there who just sit around and watch for newbs to come trotting into town with their entire paycheck in hand. Just use good sense and you'll be ok. Meet nice girls at the local church, park, etc. heh

Have fun and good luck! Exciting times for you ahead!
Myst

Answer 2

Only spend what you have. Meaning, if you can't afford it, don't buy it. If you get into credit and having to work to pay for things you bought in the past, you'll never really be able to have a good time in the future. Keep your home organized so that you aren't cluttered and anyone who just "stops in" won't be catching you off guard. Watch out for the quick loan places and people who will take advantage of you and your couch! It's your home and you are paying the price of being in the Navy to pay for it. Take care of it and don't let anyone through your door that doesn't respect you or what you do to have it.

When I first lived on my own I was excited...until the 3rd day or so and then I got kind of lonely. Not because I didn't have any friends, but because there wasn't anyone around that I could just turn to and talk to. I learned I had to make an effort to stay in touch with the people I cared about.

Good luck and thank you for serving in the military.

Answer 3

Never borrow money (except for a mortgage - but if you're in the armed forces, I would recommend not buying a house until you're settled down and not active duty anymore). Live within your means. Set up a budget. Do not use credit cards. Build an emergency fund.

I would strongly encourage you to go to Dave Ramsey's website (http://www.daveramsey.com) and go through Financial Peace University (locally, if possible - seriously, if there is one near you, do that as it's a much better class in person - otherwise, take the class online).

Follow Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps and you'll be on the road to financial prosperity and peace.

Answer 4

Beware of the NCO club, and/or the enlistees club. These are bars, where the base rejects hangs out. I say "rejects" because when I was in the service (Air Force), all the alcoholics in my section were regular patrons. All the once always getting in trouble with base police are regular patrons.

After you finish basic training, and are sent to technical training school, the NCO and enlistees clubs will be your downfall. People who fail their technical training phase, are usual patrons who frequent the NCO/Enlistees' clubs. The women who hang out at these clubs are often civilian single moms, looking for a BF (future husband), so she can collect on the benefits of being married to a serviceman.

Answer 5

Never loan money no matter what the story is that you are given unless you wish to never see it again.

Don't tell anyone any of your personal business.

Keep your stuff locked up, always.

Save your money.

Don't get drunk.

Don't catch the clap.

Don't start smoking.

Take lots of pictures after you get out of training.

Don't take anything with you when you start that you don't want taken away from you.

Don't get mixed up with the bad guys.

Best Wishes

.

Answer 6

Be serious and proactive about your finances. Sit down and figure out a budget. Write down all the money that you have, and what you expect to earn. Then write down your expenses and devise how you will spend your money. What can you afford (or not afford)? Be religious about sticking to your budget and you will do well. Assuming you keep an income, of course.

Answer 7

Well living by your own advice is doing what you think is right. I live by reason and positivity. I have no god, but i get my way through what is right to me.

Answer 8

The three big ones -- illegal, immoral, and procrastination. Don't steal (even if you are SURE you will get "away" with it), don't sleep with your best friend's girlfriend (even if she says they have broken up), and pay your bills and make good on your promises on time.

Answer 9

Create a budget

Answer 10

Ditto what the first poster said - don't run up a bunch of debt. If you want something, save up for it.

Answer 11

Never play cards with a man named "Doc."
Never eat at a place called "Moms."
And never sleep with a woman whose troubles are worse than your own.